December 10, 2011 at
12:41 AM

Mathis, 28, was originally drafted by the Texas Rangers in
the 13th round of the 2005 draft out of the University of
Missouri. His six years in the Rangers
system included 45 appearances at the major league level between 2008 and 2010,
during which he went 3-3 with a 4.84 ERA and 1 save. His best season was 2009, when he had a 3.16 ERA and 25 strikeouts over 42.2 innings pitched. 39 of Mathis' 45 career major league appearances
have come out of the bullpen, but he has been used almost exclusively as a starter while
in the minor leagues.

After leaving the Rangers organization following the 2010
season, Mathis had quite a journey in 2011. He signed with the Indians in the
offseason, but was released at the end of spring training. Over the next three
months he split 17 starts between the Triple-A affiliates of the Giants and
Athletics, going 0-5 and posting a 4.27 ERA. After being released by Oakland on
July 14, Mathis signed with the Samsung Lions of the Korean Baseball
Organization, where he had a 5-2 record and a 2.52 ERA, helping Samsung win its fourth championship in 10 years. Back stateside, Mathis is likely to begin 2012
at Triple-A Pawtucket.